Kallee and Alex

From the moment I pulled into Hertitage Park Event Center, I knew it was going to be a beautiful day. In more ways than one. I’ll just begin by saying Kallee was the most calm, laid back bride I have shot for yet (Even though I expected this just because this is how Kallee is). From discovering a stain on the back of her sash during taking pictures to thunder and lightening arriving ten minutes before the ceremony, this beauty was cool as could be. I could honestly write a novel about this wedding, but I’ll keep it short and sweet.

There were two things that made this day so special and stand out from the rest.

#1: Kallee and Alex have REAL, vulnerable love. Not that anyone I’ve photographed hasn’t, theirs is just different. Kallee and Alex had chosen to do a first look aka one of my favorite things to photograph. I had never seen a bride look like she could explode with happiness like Kallee did while making her way to Alex. Just as we were about fifteen feet from him she told me, “this is the moment I have been waiting for. I care more about this than the entire wedding.” And boy, did it show.

Oh, and it only began there. Alex’s reaction was absolutely priceless. As soon as he turned around, the tears began. From never-ending bear hugs, forehead kisses, twirls and spins, these two were nothing less than breathtaking in front of the camera. The entire time we were shooting their portraits, Alex continuously kept saying “I am the luckiest guy in the world” and “Kallee, you look so beautiful”. They were just in their own little world, allowing me to join in for a few split moments to capture the beauty behind it. Their emotions were so real, which is what every photographer drools over when they get the chance to document them.

#2: The sprint through the storm. I’m one of those people who cherish the most strange, out of the ordinary moments. Maybe it’s because they’re completely unexpected and they are times that we could never replay or recreate again, no matter how hard we try. But anyway, this was an experience that will make me smile forever.

For those of you who don’t know, Kallee’s ceremony was completely outdoors. It was amazingly beautiful the entire day with not a cloud in the sky. Until about ten minutes before the ceremony. Here came the thunder and the lightening and the tiniest drops of rain. I’m sorry to admit it Kallee, but I’m pretty sure everyone was silently freaking out besides you. The ceremony began and as time passed, the rain slowly but surely began to drop heavier and heavier. Honestly, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect because as soon as Alex was given permission to kiss the bride, it began to POUR. So here comes Alex (holding Jackson with one arm and holding Kallee’s hand with the other) and poor Kallee trying to carry her train, so this is where I came into play. Working at a bridal shop, I’m all about the wedding dress so it was natural instinct to grab Kallee’s train. So here the four of us were, sprinting up a huge hill in the pouring rain laughing uncontrollably while trying not to trip (and trying to protect my camera from the rain). Once we made it to the top I looked at Kallee and said, “I’m so thankful for the opportunity I had to be your photographer.” Because just that experience alone made me realize this is why I want to do this for the rest of my life. Cheers to a day we will never forget.